Summary 2002 - Substantial archaeological discoveries on the site of Heracleion

Alexandria, May 25, 2002 : Under the supervision of Prof. Zahi Hawass, the General Secretary of the Supreme Council, the Department of Underwater Archaeology directed by Ibrahim Darwish, in collaboration with the team of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology directed by Franck Goddio have continued their underwater excavation in Aboukir Bay.

Evidence discovered in the 2001 Mission has confirmed the identification and the historical importance of the site through the discovery of the stele of Heracleion and of colossal statues: a pharaoh and a queen of a late pharaonic period as well as the Nile god Hâpi.

The objectives of the campaign of this year were to precisely define the topography of the site (1000 m by 800 m) and to pursue the excavation of the main temple of Amon. In the temple area several Ptolemaic gold and bronze coins have been found as well as ritual bronze instruments and groups of amulets of different styles that enlighten our knowledge of the rich life of this Greco-Egyptian sanctuary at the time of the Ptolemies. Golden jewellery dating back to the 4th century B.C. were also found some of them showing Persian influences.

«This mission has provided two fundamental results for historians» comments Prof.; Jean Yoyotte from the Collège de France in Paris. «On a site situated only 250 m from the temple, coins dating back to the Byzantine Emperors and from the Khalifes in the 2nd Century of Hegira have been found. They corroborate the ancient text saying that Heracleion was still inhabited at the end of the Byzantine time. These coins bring the proof that Heracleion’s final submergence must have happened during the 8th century A.D.»

A marble stone found on top of a large structure buried in sand might give the answer to another question. It is covered with a Greek inscription: an epitaph for a young man from Asty (a village close to Canopus) who died at a battle during the Ptolemaic period. This poetic inscription could possibly lead the next mission to a burial site.

Furthermore the topographic survey has revealed at the south, west and north of the site important constructions as well as towards the west and north, two new ports connected by a canal. So it shows that the city of Heracleion was surrounded by several surrounding settlements. The mission has been working for fifty days in close cooperation with the inspectors and the archaeologists of the Department for Underwater Archaeology.

This mission is supported by the Hilti Foundation.